To assess the effectiveness of the services of private residential care homes for the elderly in Hong Kong

Abstract

Hong Kong cannot single out herself from the global problem of increasing elderly population. The increase of elderly population like in other countries is the by-product of dwindling of birth rate and the longevity of life caused by the advanced medical care, enhancement of nutrition and low mortality rate which prolong people's life expectancy. Provision of housing as the integral part of care to the elders at their retirement age becomes a hot topic of the government to deal with. Comprehensive housing services help to develop the concept of ageing in place, care in the community and continuum services for achievement of the healthy ageing and successful ageing of the elders Moreover, government cannot cater for the needs of all elders who require residential care services when all elders becoming old and frail. Private residential care home services fills in the gap to provide such services in the elderly market. This research studies the causes of the requirement of the private residential care homes which under-went the change of family structure, change of status of elders in the traditional families due to low fertility rate, change of economic and social aspects due to urbanization and industrialization. Development of private elderly housing services provided by government and private sector from past to present and future are overviewed. Statistics on provision of private elderly care homes places in the current market are mentioned. The studies focus on the quality of services provided by the private residential care homes for the elderly. Methodology for the research is based on a mix of qualitative and quantitative method. Measurements on the level of satisfaction of the elderly respondents are identified and itemized basing on their required physical daily personal services. Face-to-face personal contact and ' in-person' dialogues with the elderly respondents and the frontline workers and operators were conducted for questionnaires and interview results. The elderly respondents were categorized into 3 ranges, namely, the young-old, old-old and the oldest-old for analysis of their level of satisfaction of services. Different age range respondents expressed different level of satisfaction with same items of services due to different requirements at various age strata. Comparisons on the services provided by sole privately operated residential care homes, NGO and Government Purchasing Scheme are examined. Results of the research are analyzed and finalized for conclusions and recommendations. The elders' willingness of ageing in place is definite yet with expectations of improvement for upgrading life quality.